Page 8 of Romeo & Antoinette

“Well, extra cheese.”

“No problem. Ok, so one cheesesteak, extra cheese, extra onions, just the right amount of meat and a squirt of ketchup. That it? ”

“A diet coke.”

“Really?”

“Really,” said the Mayor patting his huge belly.

“You got it.” Then she asked Patrick, “Anything for you?”

“No thanks. I’m good.”

“You sure?” She cocked her head suggestively. “We don’t have anything here you might be interested in?”

“I’m okay for now.”

“Okay, be right back.”

“Dad! Dad! Can you come here a minute?” It was Tyler. Seemed he had a problem.

Cap excused himself and left Ant with the Mayor and Patrick.

“So, tell me about yourself,” said the Mayor, distractedly.

“Not much to tell really. Like my dad said, I’m just home for what’s left of the summer.

“Yes, yes… I see.” He licked his lips. “A little more…”

“Well, I just finished my first year of law school.”

“And how’s that going?”

“Ok, I guess. I can’t say I love it.”

“No. No. Don’t stop. A little more.”

“Okay… Well… I might even say I hate it.” She turned around quickly to make sure her dad didn’t hear her.

“And then what?” asked the Mayor.

“Well, then I…?”

“Ok, that’s good. Not too much.”

“Huh?”

“Yes. Yes. That’s it.”

It took just a couple more seconds for Ant to figure out the Mayor wasn’t really paying any attention to her. All you had to do was follow his gaze. It led right to Nikki, or more specifically to the cheesesteak she was putting together.

“Now, a little ketchup. Yes, yes, perfect. That’s perfect,” continued the Mayor, in a tran

ce-like mumble.

“I think I’m going to go to astronaut training school,” mused Ant. “Check out Mars maybe.”

“That’s fantastic. What a great idea. If you need a recommend…”

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